The first such aircraft of Imperial Airways, shown here in a 1936 brochure in the Middle East before services had actually commenced. These departed from the coast off Southampton, England. See earlier posts.

Sunday, June 28, 2015

On the same day that two ISIS sympathizers shot 39 tourists on a beach in Tunisia, a delivery man with known Islamist connections beheaded his boss and left the body, daubed with Arabic writing, at the site of a U.S.-owned gas factory in southeast France before trying to blow up the complex.

The assailant rammed his delivery van into a warehouse containing gas canisters, triggering an initial explosion, and was arrested minutes later as he tried to open canisters containing flammable chemicals, prosecutors said on Friday.

Police found the head of the victim, the 54-year-old manager of the transport firm that employed the suspect, dangling from a fence.

"The head was discovered hanging on the factory's wire fence, framed by two flags that included references to the shahada, or (Muslim) profession of faith," Paris public prosecutor Francois Molins told a news conference.

"Bicycle with emergency tires
Need makes inventiveness
In WW1 there was no more rubber. The people still wanted to ride bicycles. The alternative shown here was eagerly used so as to still be mobile. Bicycles were in Germany at the time of WW1 very popular. This conversion set was made in factories and sold in big quantities.
Today this type of tire has become extremely rare. On untared field paths this principle works without problems. On asphalt, cobblestones or similar, less so."

India is one of several countries that none of us has visited and never intend to, and this article found on the traveldudes.org website provides some of the reasons why. It is nevertheless a fascinating country for 'armchair travel':

*****First of all, the chances are really high that you will be scammed anyway. :) But perhaps this travel tip helps you to recognize them earlier. Many first time travelers to India find themselves falling victim to scams and touts, and unfortunately Delhi has a lot of both. Be on guard for anybody trying to help you by giving you unsolicited directions or travel advice. Take any advice from taxi and auto drivers with a grain of salt, particularly if they tell you the place you want to go to is closed, dangerous, etc. If this is your first time to India, do not openly admit it as this will make you a mark for scam artists. We found out that if people start a conversation out of nowhere and offer their assistance, that it was very wise to be watchful. We made very good experiences when we were the ones who chose who to speak to, ask for help or assistance. Delhi is an increasingly unsafe place for women. It is not uncommon to receive lewd remarks or even physical touching. It helps to dress conservatively (preferably in Indian clothing so as to blend in). Learn to shout and consider carrying mace/pepper spray. Police vehicles (called PCR vans) are parked on almost every major intersection. Dial 100 in case of emergencies. A common travel tip is to carry your cash, passport, and cards in a secure money belt, with only enough cash for a few hours at a time in your wallet or other accessible place. Some travelers recommend carrying an expendable wallet with a few ten rupee bills in it in an obvious place such as your hip pocket as a decoy to Delhi's ubiquitous pickpockets. As a general rule, expect anyone handling your cash in Delhi to attempt to short-change you. You may be favorably surprised once or twice during your visit. Learn the currency, count out your payment and change carefully, and be insistent in any dispute. Several tourist agencies have been known to swindle tourists, such as change their travel plans or charge them extra commissions and fees. Consider going to the Official Indian Tourist Office. There is a separate travel tip with infos about it here: www.traveldudes.org/... Do not take a personal touring car as the agency will most likely charge you ridiculous prices, for example, 7 rupees/km of the trip. The driver will most likely take you to sites, restaurants and accommodations that you did not request to see in order to pull more money out of your pockets. Choose also here the infos of the Official Tourist Office. The best way to secure train tickets is by navigating through the India Rail website. Otherwise, prepare to spend a good hour sorting through the charges that the tourist agency will rack up, most likely several hundred dollars in convenience charges or unspecified taxes.

There is also an American version of the Top Gear show, produced by the BBC there with different presenters, a bit tamer than the UK version with this trio, but also worth watching particularly if like us, you're besotted with American classic cars.

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All at Sea: stories of New Zealand seafarers

Narratives from interviews conducted over several years with 16 merchant navy sailors - 14 men and 2 women - who recounted their stories from the last full fledged sailing ship, the Pamir being returned to her home country of Finland after WWII to recent stories on today's inter-island ferries and coastal vessels, as well as international cargo and passenger ships which sailed to various parts of the globe. A full range of occupations are covered from Deck Boy, Engineer, Steward to Master as well as harbour pilots, union leaders and shipping company executives.

NZR Memorabilia

A fabulous new book containing many colourful illustrations of old postcards, pamphlets, posters, and a wide range of objects that have been used by the NZR and its personnel from the 1860s to the present time. Together they tell in visual form the importance of NZR to NZ and its people over the past 150 years and provides a useful reference for collectors.

Voyage to Gallipoli

Details of the troopships to the Gallipoli campaign of WW1 and more WW1 naval history.